‘Freedom Ride’ Leads to Arrests in Hilo

Two men were arrested on Saturday by the Hawai’i Police Department following a “Freedom Ride” rally at the King Kamehameha Statue in Hilo.

Police say the rally held Saturday supports what organizers say is the constitutional “right to travel” with no driver’s license, registration, licenses plates, safety stickers, and motor vehicle insurance.

Following the rally, three vehicles left the King Kamehameha Statue area and headed towards downtown Hilo with cardboard-type plates that reportedly read “Not For Hire.”

The vehicles were stopped by patrol officers on Punahoa Street for obstruction of license plates.

During the incident, 72-year-old Rodney E. Piedvache of Na’alehu was arrested and charged with refusing to show identification, driving with license suspended/revoked, and no motor vehicle insurance.

Piedvache was released from custody after posting $1,025 bail. He was also given traffic citations for various infractions.

An additional individual was arrested and charged with refusing to show identification, no operator’s license, and no motor vehicle insurance.

Police say the man refused to identify himself and remains at the Hilo police cellblock with no bail. Traffic infraction cases have also been initiated against the man.

Both vehicles were towed under Hawai’i County Code section 24-12 duty of police to enforce traffic laws, known as “Aliyah’s Law,” according to a HPD representative.

As officers were stopping the vehicles, a third man who was yelling in the street was arrested. Joseph B. Pierce, 39, who has no permanent address, was charged with disorderly conduct.

A fourth man was cited for obstruction of license plates and allowed to leave after he removed the paper plates and provided officers his driver’s license, registration, and insurance.